Russia Attacks Ukraine - 23 Feb 2022 #4

[sds71]

Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion is poised to expand deeper into cities, according to U.S. officials.

An American assessment indicates that Russia, which has been operating inside Syria since 2015, has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv and deal a devastating blow to the Ukraine government, according to four American officials. The move points to a potential escalation of fighting in Ukraine, experts said.

According to a publication based in Deir Ezzor, Syria, Russia has offered volunteers from the country between $200 and $300 “to go to Ukraine and operate as guards” for six months at a time.

WSJ News Exclusive | Russia Recruiting Syrians for Urban Combat in Ukraine, U.S. Officials Say

 

[JerseyGirl]

A year ago, my sister bought a very fancy candle on Etsy from a seller in Ukraine. Gave her a five-star review as it was lovely and well-packaged.

Today my sister went to find her on Etsy so she can "buy" things in order to give her some income, of course without really buying anything.
Sadly, the woman's Etsy shop is now closed.

The woman in Ukraine posted some kind of note that the post office and shipping companies are not functioning, so she had no choice but to shutter her shop. However, the woman said that she is "selling" items for five dollars. That's what my sister did, and I'm going to do, with several shops in Ukraine.

I don't even know if there's anything left for them to buy.

How to Support Ukraine on Etsy
If you want to directly contribute to Ukraine citizens,

1. Search “digital files” on Etsy.com.
2. Click the “All Filters” button and scroll down to “Country.”
3. Under “Custom,” enter Ukraine.

The results will include all digital files created and sold by Ukraine-based Etsy sellers. Once you purchase an item, the file will immediately become available for download. The transaction allows Ukrainian sellers to earn money without having to produce anything new during this tough time.

Want to Help the People of Ukraine? How to Support Them Via Etsy

 

[worldwatcher]

Puffy face, steroids?

Prednison or dexamethasone?
Russia says it already uses dexamethasone to treat coronavirus patients: RIA
Dexamethasone is also used against brain swelling ,like brain tumor.

Hard to say,when I see a vid of Putin speaking,I do think it looks a lot like Parkinson or Parkinsonism.
But who knows?

VP was after all a KGB agent,he seems so off,emotionless

 

[CSIDreamer]

She paid her through PayPal. It seems to have gone through, but I'm holding my breath that my sister doesn't get some notification saying PayPal is sorry but couldn't process the payment.

@SouthAussie forgive my ignorance, but what is o/s?

You would think they could process it. They banned Russia, not Ukraine. JMO

Fingers crossed.

 

[Lillymac]

It is so frustrating. You can't make deals with the devil! I think it's obvious Putin is the devil. He has no scruples, no compassion, and no humane traits. He's not going to stop or backdown regardless of what this is doing to the Ukrainians or his Russian countrymen. We all recognize the bravery and patriotism of the Ukrainians, but I think it's time to end this mass destruction. It seems to me the battle has become one between two men against each other. At this point there won't be a winner. Ukraine is being leveled and people in Russia are being punished with all the withdrawals from them.
It was reported Putin had relocated his family to a nuclear protected area. If this is true, it tells me nuclear attack is still an option for him. Putin is not being held accountable for his war crimes so he continues to do them. He sounds to me like a desperate person who has nothing to lose and will stop at nothing. God, Family, Country....

 

[worldwatcher]

Updated list:

Accenture PLC - consulting group discontinued business in Russia

Activision Blizzard - video game company halted all sales in Russia

Adidas - suspended partnership with the Russian Football Union

Adobe - suspended services in Russia

AERCAP - aircraft leasing firm suspended leases with Russian airlines

AirBnB - halted bookings in Russia

Airbus - halted supply of parts to Aeroflot

Alaska Airlines - suspended all Russian partnerships

Alcoa - aluminum producer suspended all business with Russia

Allianz - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Alphabet - suspended all operations in Russia

Amadeus IT Group - suspended all partnerships with Aeroflot

Amazon - deactivated some Russian sellers

AMD - suspended sales of sensitive technology to Russia

American Airlines - no longer flying over Russian airspace

American Express - exited Russian partnerships and suspended operations in Russia and Belarus

Anheuser-Busch - halted all shipments to Russia

Apple - closed all Russian stores, suspended all product sales, limiting access to digital services like Apple Pay, restricting the availability of Russian state media apps outside of Russia, deactivated the traffic feature in Apple Maps for all areas inside Ukraine

Asda - British supermarket chain removed Russian products from store shelves

ASOS - fashion retailer suspended sales in Russia

Assicurazioni Generali - Italian insurance company exited Russia completely

Aston Martin - halted all shipments to Russia

Atlas Copco - industrial tool and equipment manufacturer halted all shipments to Russia

Australian Swim Team World Championship - canceled swim meet in Russia

Autodesk - architectural and engineering software company suspended operations in Russia

Bain - suspended consulting services for all Russian entities

Baker McKenzie - multinational law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

BASF SE - German multinational chemical producer suspending new Russian relationships

BBC - suspended all operations in Russia

BCG - suspended all consulting services in Russia

Bentley - halted all shipments to Russia

BGR Government Affairs - lobbying firm no longer represents investors of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

BlackRock - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Bloomberg - pulling journalists from Russia

BMW - halted local production and exports to the Russian market

BNP Paribas - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Boeing - no longer providing technical support, maintenance, or parts to Russian airlines and cut ties with Russian partners

Bolt - e-commerce company suspended Russian partnerships

Bombardier - Canadian business jet manufacturer restricting new Russian business

Boohoo Group - British online fashion retailer halted all shipments to Russia

Booking - halted bookings in Russia

Boston Consulting Group - suspended business in Russia

BP - divested roughly 20% stake in Russian oil company Rosneft and announced the immediate resignation of two BP-backed Rosneft board members

Budweiser Budvar - halted all shipments to Russia

Burberry - paused all shipments to Russia

Canada Goose - suspended all wholesale and e-commerce sales in Russia

Cannes Film Festival - Russia excluded from upcoming events

Carlsberg - Danish multinational brewer suspended all business in Russia

Carnival Cruises - dropped Russia from all itineraries

Champions League Soccer Final - event moved from St Petersburg to Paris

Chanel - suspended all operations in Russia

Cisco - multinational technology conglomerate suspended all operations in Russia

CMA CGM - French container and shipping company halted all shipments to Russia

Cogent Communications - Internet provider cut ties with Russian customers

Credit Suisse - Swiss global investment bank and financial firm is curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Daimler Truck - suspended business activities (including the supply of civilian truck components) to Russian manufacturer Kamaz

Dassault Aviation - French aerospace company halted all shipments to Russia

DB Schenker - supply chain and management company halted all shipments to Russia

DELL - suspended relationship with Aeroflot airlines and halted all shipments to Russia

Delta - suspended code-share agreement with Aeroflot

Dentons - multinational law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

DHL - halted all shipments to Russia

Diageo - multinational alcoholic beverage distiller halted all shipments to Russia

DirectTV - “accelerating this year’s contract expiration timeline” of RT America and will no longer offer their programming (effective immediately)

Disney - pausing theatrical film releases

DSV A/S - Danish transport and logistics company halted all shipments to Russia

DXC Technology - multinational IT and consulting company suspended business in Russia

EA - suspended sales of its video games and other content (including virtual currency bundles) and removed Russian teams from EA Sports

eBay - halted all shipments to Russia

Electronic Arts - video game company suspended all operations in Russia

Eni - divested in Russian pipeline

EQUINOR - energy firm divested its joint ventures in Russia

Ericsson - halted all shipments to Russia

European Film Awards - excluded Russia from the upcoming event

Eurovision Song Contest - Russia banned from competing

Expedia - halted all bookings in Russia

ExxonMobil - ended its involvement in a large oil and natural gas project

Farfetch - online clothing retailer suspended deliveries in Russia

Fazer - Finnish food corporation suspended operations in Russia

FedEx - suspended Russian shipment deliveries

FIFA - Russian teams banned from participating in athletic competitions

Ford Motor Company - suspended operations and joint ventures in Russia

Formula 1 - suspended operations in Russia and terminated contract with the Russian Grand Prix; country will no longer host a Grand Prix for the foreseeable future

General Electric (GE) - halted supply of parts to Aeroflot

General Motors (GM) - suspended auto exports to Russia

Geodis - transport and logistics company halted all shipments to Russia

Global Foundries - multinational semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company halted all shipments to Russia

Google - banned state-owned media outlet RT and other Russian channels from collecting ad revenues

Grammarly - suspended operations in Russia

Grant Thornton - independent accounting and consulting firm closed business in Russia

Haas F1 Team - terminated contract with Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and title sponsor Uralkali

Hapag Lloyd - container shipping company halted all shipments to Russia

Harley-Davidson - suspended all business in Russia

Henkel - German chemical and consumer goods company suspending investments in Russia

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) - halted all operations in Russia

Hermès - temporarily closed stores and pausing commercial activity in Russia

HMM - transport company halted all shipments to Russia

Honda - suspended auto and motorcycle exports to Russia

HP - halted all shipments to Russia

HSBC - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Hyundai - halted manufacturing in Russia

IKEA - paused imports to/from Russia and Belarus, halted retail operations, paused operations of its unit that produces wooden furniture, and suspended all business transactions in Russia and Belarus

Inditex - closed 502 stores (including Bershka, Stradivarius and Oysho)

Intel and AMD - suspended chip shipments

Intercontinental Exchange - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

International Cat Federation - Russian cats banned from competitions

International Cycling Union - Russian and Belarusian teams are banned from international competitions

International Ice Hockey Federation - ban on all Russian competition

International Paralympics Committee - Russian and Belarusian athletes banned from competing

International Skating Union - Russian and Belarusian skaters banned from international events (including the world championship in France later this month)

International Tennis Federation - suspending all Russian partnerships

International Weightlifting Federation - ban on all Russian competition

IOC - Russian athletes banned from competing

J Sainsbury - UK supermarket chain removed all products from Russia

Jaguar - suspended operations in Russia

JD Sports - sportswear company suspended operations in Russia

JPMorgan - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

JYSK - Danish household goods and furniture retailer suspended operations in Russia

Kering (brands include Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent) - closed all stores in Russia

Kinolife - Ukrainian film distributor will no longer distribute Hollywood films to Russia

Kinross Gold - Canadian gold and silver mining company suspended operations in Russia

Korean Air Lines - will no longer be flying over Russian airspace

KPMG - global network of audit and tax firms ended some Russian relationships

Kuehne + Nagel AG - Swiss transport company suspended all shipments to Russia

Land Rover - suspended operations in Russia

Lego - halted all shipments to Russia

Linklaters - multinational law firm suspended operations in Russia

Live Nation Entertainment - halted all operations in Russia

London Stock Exchange Group - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Lucerne Music Festival - Switzerland festival cancels two symphony concerts featuring Russian maestro and longtime backer of Putin, Valery Gergiev

Lumen Technologies - enterprise technology platform suspended new Russian relationships

LVMH (brands and subsidiaries include Louis Vuitton, Moët, Hennessy, Dior, Fendi, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Loewe, Kenzo, Fenty, TAG, Bulgari, Make Up For Ever, Belvedere, Benefit Cosmetics, Tiffany & Co, Sephora) — closed 124 stores in Russia

MAERSK - suspended all container shipments to/from Russia except those containing food, medical, and humanitarian supplies

Mango - Spanish megaretailer paused online sales and closing 55 stores in Russia

Marks & Spencer - British retailer halted all shipments to Russia

Mastercard - blocked multiple financial institutions from its payment network and suspended all operations in Russia

Mazda - halted all shipments to Russia

McKinsey & Co - consulting group suspended operations in Russia

Mercedes-Benz - halted all shipments to Russia

Mercury Public Affairs - PR firm no longer represents Sovcombank

META - restricted access to Russian state-owned media accounts in Ukraine and blocked state-owned media from earning ad revenue

Metso Outotec - Finnish provider of technology and services for mining, aggregates, recycling and metal refining industries halted all shipments to Russia

Michelin - halted all shipments to Russia

Microsoft - removed state-owned media mobile apps and banned state-owned media ads

Moncler - luxury fashion brand suspended operations in Russia

Moody’s - financial service company suspended operations in Russia

Morrisons - UK supermarket chain removed products from Russia

MSC - industrial supply company halted all shipments to Russia

MSCI - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Nasdaq - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

National Hockey League (NHL) - suspended Russian business deals

Net-a-porter - online fashion retailer suspended deliveries in Russia

Netflix - will not distribute news, sports, and entertainment channels from Russian state media and paused production on four Russian projects and acquisitions

Nike - suspended operations in Russia

Nintendo - halted all sales in Russia

Nissan - halted all shipments to Russia

Nokia - halted all shipments to Russia

Nordic Ski Federation - Russian skiers banned from competing in Norway

Norsk Hydro - Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company freezing all Russian investments

Nvidia - technology company halted all sales in Russia

Ocean Network Express - container shipment company suspended bookings to/from Russia

OMV - oil producer divested from Russian projects

OneWeb - global satellite Internet service provider suspended use of Russian airspace

Oracle - suspended operations in Russia

Panasonic - suspended operations in Russia

Paramount - pausing new content releases in Russia

Payoneer - suspended services in Russia

PayPal - suspended services in Russia

Prada - suspended operations in Russia

Puma - halted deliveries to Russia

R&A - golf governing body banned all Russian competition

Reddit - restricted access to the r/Russia subreddit

Remitly Global - digital financial service provider stopped accepting new users in Russia

Renault - car manufacturer closed Russian plants

Richemont (brands and subsidiaries include Dunhill, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Cartier, Chloé, Piaget, and Van Cleef & Arpels) - suspended commercial activity in Russia

Roberti Global - PR firm no longer represents investors of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline

Roku - removed state-owned Russian channels

Rolls Royce - halted all shipments to Russia

S&P - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

SABRE - airline ticket sale company suspended all activities in Russia

Samsung - suspended shipments in Russia

Sandvik - industrial engineering group halted all operations in Russia

SAP - IT software company halted all sales to Russia

Schalke - Germany soccer club severed sponsorship with Gazprom

Shell - divested several ventures with Gazprom totaling roughly $3bn in revenue

Sidley Austin - PR group no longer represents VTB bank

Siemens - tech company is freezing new business in Russia

Siemens Energy AG (Independent) - freezing new business in Russia

SNAP - suspended Snapchat ads in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine and halting ad sales in Russia and Belarus

Societe Generale - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Sony Pictures - pausing theatrical film releases

Spotify - closed its Russian office and removed state-owned media ads

State Street - curtailing Russian access to capital markets

Subaru - halted all shipments to Russia

Swatch - halted exports to Russia

Sylvamo - paper mill suspended operations in Russia

The Metropolitan Opera - no longer “works with artists or institutions that support Putin or are supported by him”

The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra - no longer working with the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev and Gergiev Festival will not take place in September

Tik Tok - removed all Kremlin generated propaganda and ads; suspended livestreaming and new content to our video service in Russia

TJX Companies (TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods) - divested its minority investment in Russian off-price retailer Familia and halted purchases in Russia and Belarus

TotalEnergies - energy company halted all shipments to Russia

Twitter - removed all Kremlin created propaganda and ads

Uber - divested from partnership with Yandex

UEFA (European Football Associations) - banned Russian teams from participating in athletic competitions

Under Armour - halted all shipments to Russia

United Airlines - will no longer be flying over Russian airspace

Universal Pictures - pausing new content releases in Russia

UPS - suspended Russian shipments

Valero Energy - suspended all purchases of Russian crude oil

Venable - lobbying group no longer represents Sberbank

Visa - blocked multiple financial institutions from its payment network and suspended all operations in Russia

Volkswagen (VW) - suspended car deliveries to Russian dealerships and shut down operations in Russia

Volvo - suspended auto exports to Russia

Waitrose - British supermarket removed all products from Russia

Warner Brothers (WB) - pausing theatrical film releases

White & Case - international law firm suspended services for all Kremlin entities

Wise PLC - digital finance company suspended all Russian partnerships

World Federation of Exchanges - suspending all Russian members and affiliates

World Governing Body for Track & Field - Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials banned from events (including the World Athletics Championships in Oregon this summer and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade)

World Rugby Union - ban on all Russian competition

World Tennis Association - suspending Russian partnerships

WPP PLC - PR firm suspended all operations in Russia

WWE - halted all operations in Russia

Yoox - suspended deliveries in Russia

YouTube - temporarily demonetized Russian state-owned RT and other channels and limiting access to these channels

Zara - suspended business in Russia

Heineken halts exports to Russia along with investments

 

[JerseyGirl]

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the safety of Ukraine's nuclear power plants Sunday, according to a Kremlin readout of the call between the two leaders.

When Macron expressed concern about ensuring the nuclear power plants' safety, Putin responded about what he called "the provocation staged by Ukrainian radicals in the area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the involvement of a sabotage group," according to the readout.

"Russian troops are in cooperation with Ukrainian personnel and continue to ensure the operation of the nuclear power plant in the normal mode and the radioactive background remains normal," Putin said.

He added these details were officially confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"The physical and nuclear safety of the plant is well protected," the readout said.

The statement also noted Russian Armed Forces "control the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant" to ensure there are no "provocations fraught with catastrophic consequences by Ukrainian neo-Nazis or terrorists."

When Macron asked about the idea of holding a trilateral (IAEA-Russia-Ukraine) meeting in the Chernobyl zone to ensure the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, Putin said, "In principle, this idea could be useful, but it would be worth considering whether to hold such a meeting via videoconference or in a third country."

The two leaders also discussed the issue of evacuating the civilian population from areas of clashes. Putin accused Ukraine of not fulfilling "the agreements reached on such an acute humanitarian issue."

The Kremlin readout also said "Ukrainian nationalists did not allow the evacuation from these cities. And the pause in hostilities was again used to build up forces and means in their positions."

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

 

[Cool Cats]

'Capable of anything': How the '99 apartment bombings explain Putin's rise and regime

 

[Arkay]

Oops sorry ... it means overseas. Common Aussie slang for any country that is not our own country (because every country is overseas to us).

It would be interesting to know if the PayPal payment gets through to the vendor. If you ever hear.

How to Support Ukraine on Etsy
If you want to directly contribute to Ukraine citizens,

1. Search “digital files” on Etsy.com.
2. Click the “All Filters” button and scroll down to “Country.”
3. Under “Custom,” enter Ukraine.

The results will include all digital files created and sold by Ukraine-based Etsy sellers. Once you purchase an item, the file will immediately become available for download. The transaction allows Ukrainian sellers to earn money without having to produce anything new during this tough time.

Want to Help the People of Ukraine? How to Support Them Via Etsy

Thanks, @JerseyGirl I just searched for sellers in Ukraine, but a lot of digital downloads came up. I was able to "buy" some paintings and posters supporting those who were begging for help to save their democracy.

Even though they are digital downloads, when you click on "item description," so many Ukrainians wrote their stories, and where they have gone for refuge.

The listings said their shops used PayPal, so that's what I did, as well. PayPal says the payments went through, so I'm just praying that it helps.

And @SouthAussie, there's never a bad time to learn Aussie slang! Thanks for explaining.

If I get any messages from any Ukrainian sellers, that they did in fact get paid, I will let you know. I'd like to hear but certainly don't expect them to have time or energy to respond to all the purchasers.

ETA: here's one example that I bought

 

[Herat]

Prednison or dexamethasone?
Russia says it already uses dexamethasone to treat coronavirus patients: RIA
Dexamethasone is also used against brain swelling ,like brain tumor.

Hard to say,when I see a vid of Putin speaking,I do think it looks a lot like Parkinson or Parkinsonism.
But who knows?

VP was after all a KGB agent,he seems so off,emotionless

His face is slightly puffy in some areas, and his right eyelid is slightly droopy., but I think his right eyelid is slightly droopy in old photos. Horner's Syndrome, maybe. But I don't think this is really much of a steroid face.

 

[Herat]

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the safety of Ukraine's nuclear power plants Sunday, according to a Kremlin readout of the call between the two leaders.

When Macron expressed concern about ensuring the nuclear power plants' safety, Putin responded about what he called "the provocation staged by Ukrainian radicals in the area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the involvement of a sabotage group," according to the readout.

"Russian troops are in cooperation with Ukrainian personnel and continue to ensure the operation of the nuclear power plant in the normal mode and the radioactive background remains normal," Putin said.

He added these details were officially confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"The physical and nuclear safety of the plant is well protected," the readout said.

The statement also noted Russian Armed Forces "control the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant" to ensure there are no "provocations fraught with catastrophic consequences by Ukrainian neo-Nazis or terrorists."

When Macron asked about the idea of holding a trilateral (IAEA-Russia-Ukraine) meeting in the Chernobyl zone to ensure the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, Putin said, "In principle, this idea could be useful, but it would be worth considering whether to hold such a meeting via videoconference or in a third country."

The two leaders also discussed the issue of evacuating the civilian population from areas of clashes. Putin accused Ukraine of not fulfilling "the agreements reached on such an acute humanitarian issue."

The Kremlin readout also said "Ukrainian nationalists did not allow the evacuation from these cities. And the pause in hostilities was again used to build up forces and means in their positions."

Live updates: Russia invades Ukraine

Stating a lie multiple times still doesn't make it the truth

 

[Dontknow?]

NEXTA@nexta_tv·5m️The armed forces of #Ukraine liberated the city of #Chuguev in the #Kharkiv region. #Russian side suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1500615581212594179?s=20&t=A_6ea6lvxKc69n9pd_ELug

 

[CoverMeCagney]

We all recognize the bravery and patriotism of the Ukrainians, but I think it's time to end this mass destruction. It seems to me the battle has become one between two men against each other.

I understand what you’re saying, but end it how?

It seems to me it’s one man against pretty much the rest of the world, apart from some similarly badass dictatorships.

 

[Lillymac]

I understand what you’re saying, but end it how?

It seems to me it’s one man against pretty much the rest of the world, apart from some similarly badass dictatorships.

That's a very good question. And my answer is that I don't know. Do we even know why it started??

 

[Turkeytrot]

The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent)

WSJ: Russia recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to be sent to Ukraine to help take Kyiv, according to U.S. officials.

The WSJ said it is unclear how many fighters have been identified, but some are already in Russia preparing to enter Ukraine, according to one official. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1500619811675594756?s=20&t=LC2-pVvBpVsUzSX4PEfWzw

 

[sunshineray]

Oh boy...I see this as very needed but it terrifies me what will be the monster's response.

NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates
Bill Keveney, JJ Hensley, Katie Wadington, Ella Lee, Courtney Subramanian, Matthew Brown, John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
Sun, March 6, 2022, 6:04 PM


NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates

 

[MassGuy]

The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent)

WSJ: Russia recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to be sent to Ukraine to help take Kyiv, according to U.S. officials.

The WSJ said it is unclear how many fighters have been identified, but some are already in Russia preparing to enter Ukraine, according to one official. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1500619811675594756?s=20&t=LC2-pVvBpVsUzSX4PEfWzw

It's telling, in that this shouldn't be necessary. Russia should be way ahead of where they are, and have all the personnel they need.

It's also scary, as Moscow has already shown that it does not care about attacking civilians, and these guys are likely to care even less. It also gives them a degree of cover, as the Russians can claim these forces don't belong to them.

 

[escape2sc]

Oh boy...I see this as very needed but it terrifies me what will be the monster's response.

NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates
Bill Keveney, JJ Hensley, Katie Wadington, Ella Lee, Courtney Subramanian, Matthew Brown, John Bacon and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
Sun, March 6, 2022, 6:04 PM


NATO nations have 'green light' to send jets to Ukraine; cease-fire in Mariupol collapses: Live updates

Hopefully his response will be restrained. There are military exercises gearing up in Norway of the Fast Response Team. There are also US military aircraft and troops in Poland and other countries in the region. <modsnip> Between the other bases along the eastern U.S. and NATO countries, I imagine there is a sizeable NATO force quickly building in the region.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

That's a very good question. And my answer is that I don't know. Do we even know why it started??

Jealousy, revenge and greed is why it started.

It’s like a nasty divorce. The spurned ex husband has been like a petulant child making threats and being a total jerk for years now, but just recently (when he heard she was marrying a nicer guy - let’s call him Europe) he’s completely lost his mind with jealousy and rage.

The threatening messages have got more sinister, he’s stalked and harassed her, glared at her new friends, tried to sabotage her better life… but it hasn’t worked because she’s a gutsy gal, so now he just wants her dead. If he can’t have her, nobody can.

Ukraine has thrived since leaving the Soviet Union 30 years ago. Someone on the first thread said Russia lost its biggest prize and knows it, and I think that’s about the measure of it.

 

[LadyL]

Quebec doctors are providing virtual training for Ukrainian health-care workers

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/quebec-doctors-are-providing-virtual-tra